Ian Gregory, Schools Programme Manager at Chance to Shine, reflects on a momentous day at Lord’s, where 943 children took part in the world’s largest cricket coaching session to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary.
an unforgettable world-record-breaking moment
Monday 23rd June 2025 will stay with me forever. For Chance to Shine’s 20th birthday, we set out to do something truly special. Achieving a world record with 943 children playing cricket together at Lord’s felt like the perfect way to mark the occasion. The energy and excitement that built up throughout the day were beyond what we had imagined.
setting a new world record
Back in 2017, Chance to Shine held the world record for the largest cricket lesson at a single venue, gathering 580 pupils. However, over time, the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation broke that record with 645 children. We wanted to raise the bar this year, aiming for nearly 1,000 primary school children, a daunting yet rewarding challenge.
the journey to lord’s
The first kids began arriving at Lord’s around 10:15 am, and you could already feel the excitement building. At 11 am, Lord Mervyn King, one of Chance to Shine’s co-founders, and Kate Stephens, our CEO, officially welcomed the children. The excitement reached new heights when Jodie Ounsley, also known as Fury from Gladiators, joined the festivities. The kids were ecstatic to see her!
the big moment: play begins at lord’s
Just like in a Test match, Jodie rang the Lord’s bell to start the day’s play. For over an hour, all the children participated in the world-record lesson, spaced out in grids across the pitch. One unique aspect of the event was that there was a single instructor guiding all the participants. Thanks to Lord’s, we had access to full audiovisual support, including big screens that broadcasted the lesson to everyone. Though I had some nerves, it was a truly incredible experience.
a day to remember for every child
Lord’s, the home of cricket, is a place many cricketers dream of playing. To see such a diverse group of young people get a chance to play there was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I am sure every child involved will carry the memory of that day with them forever.
reaching children from all over
We had 20 schools from the Chance to Shine programme and 15 schools from the MCC, with participants coming from across the UK. Notably, Windsor Community Primary School from Toxteth in Liverpool made the journey. They were the winners of our Community Cricket Award last year, showing how cricket can thrive in areas where football dominates.
the impact of cricket on young people
At Chance to Shine, we reach approximately 5,000 schools and 600,000 children annually. Cricket offers much more than just a sport. It teaches young people life skills such as teamwork, resilience, collaboration, and connection. Through great coaching, children are inspired to see cricket as a game for them, one that promotes their wellbeing and future friendships.
inspiring young people through cricket
Our tagline, ‘Inspiring young people through cricket’, perfectly captures the essence of this day. I hope this record-breaking event helped to inspire the next generation of cricketers and reminded everyone how powerful sport can be in shaping young lives.
